To ensure his booming voice is always ready to rumble, the man with the mic is taking no chances when it comes to his pre-bout cuppa.

Michael, 70, said: “Wherever I travel and before the fights I always take my tea with me.”

It certainly seems to be doing the trick. The American has earned millions through his announcing and trademarking his “Let’s get ready to ruuuuumble” catchphrase.

The former car salesman has been the MC for numerous big fights during his 33-year career but he admits he was not always as slick as he is now.

South pour: Manny Pacquiao (Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Honest Michael said: “The first time I did it, it was quite terrible. I was lucky I got another chance.”

On dreaming up his catchphrase, he said: “I needed something to say the fight is about to begin.

“I toyed with several phrases including ‘man your battle stations’... but Muhammad Ali used to say ‘I’m ready to rumble’ and I stuck with it.” He believes the £250million world title bout between unbeaten American Mayweather, 38, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36 – dubbed the fight of the century – is too close to call.

Punch drunk: Michael Buffer (Image: PA)

Ringside seats at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are rumoured to be going for more than £300,000.

Michael said the biggest perk of his job is “my ringside seat at all these great fights, that’s the best part.”